Historic Performances on the Asian Stage
Pakistan’s athletes delivered an outstanding performance at the 12th Asian Indoor Athletics Championships in China, setting new national records and showcasing the country’s growing potential in track and field. Despite limited facilities back home, Pakistani runners impressed with record-breaking timings in middle and long-distance events.
Sohail Amir Shines in 1500m Event
In the men’s 1500 meters race, Sohail Amir created history by clocking 4 minutes and 2 seconds, establishing a new national record for Pakistan. This achievement broke the previous record held by Pakistan Army athlete Jalaluddin, marking a significant milestone in the country’s athletics history.
Sohail Amir’s performance stood out not only for the timing but also for the confidence and consistency he showed against strong Asian competitors.
Muhammad Akhtar Breaks Record in 3000m Race
Pakistan’s success continued in the men’s 3000 meters event, where Muhammad Akhtar set a new national record by completing the race in 8 minutes and 24 seconds. The earlier record belonged to Naushad Khan, and Akhtar’s effort reflected improved endurance and race strategy.
This achievement further strengthened Pakistan’s presence at the championship and highlighted the depth of emerging talent in long-distance running.
Lack of Indoor Facilities Remains a Major Challenge
Speaking to the media, Major General (Retired) Muhammad Akram Sahi, Vice President of the Asian Athletics Federation, praised the athletes and coaching staff. He pointed out that Pakistan currently does not have any proper indoor athletics tracks, making these record-breaking performances even more remarkable.
He emphasized that Pakistani coaches worked extremely hard to prepare athletes under challenging conditions. According to him, if Pakistan had access to indoor training facilities, the results could have been even better.
Call for Better Infrastructure and Training Camps
Future Potential at the International Level
Akram Sahi congratulated the athletes for ensuring Pakistan’s competitive participation in the championship. He also stressed the urgent need for better sports infrastructure, modern facilities, and regular training camps across the country.
He expressed confidence that with proper support, consistent training programs, and improved facilities, these same athletes could deliver strong performances at the international level and bring more success to Pakistan athletics.
A Promising Sign for Pakistan Sports
The record-breaking performances at the Asian Indoor Athletics Championships are a positive sign for the future of Pakistan athletics. Despite limited resources, Pakistani athletes continue to prove their talent, determination, and ability to compete on the Asian stage. With the right investment and planning, Pakistan could soon emerge as a stronger force in international athletics.
